I am super focused on self-confidence right now! I am about to launch something I have never done before, which has caused me to read and research lately. While I have thought about confidence many times before, I was struck by something I read recently. In the book, Think and Grow Rich, which was originally written by Napoleon Hill in 1937, he talks a lot about confidence. In fact, he suggests we should spend time each day focusing on building confidence for ourselves.

Building Confidence after a Tragedy 

Did you know that Bill Gates’ first company failed? It was called Traf-o-Data. Microsoft was his second company. Did you know that Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four years old, and his teachers did not think he was smart? Or that Benjamin Franklin dropped out of school at age ten? Ben Franklin was one of our country’s Founding Fathers and invented the lightning rod and bifocals! Did you also know that Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic, and many other successful business and humanitarian efforts have dyslexia? Oprah Winfrey was molested repeatedly by more than one family member and gave birth to a baby boy who died shortly after. She is now one of the world’s most successful women.

So how does someone’s tragic or unfortunate past not prevent them from becoming a force in the world? One thing is for sure. No matter what, you must believe in yourself and your abilities. This requires confidence.

Why You Need to Build Your Confidence

You’re not born with confidence; this is a skill learned throughout your life, which is why practice improves confidence. Confident people can improve their level of confidence. 

We are often our worst enemies, and we fail to have the staying power to repeat something repeatedly to get better. Just look at Michael Jordan, one of the world’s best basketball players. He didn’t even make the basketball team in high school! He only became good at his sport when he decided to practice daily.

Repetition is the key to mastering anything. So as you work on your self-confidence, know that this repetition and your ability to learn enables you to get out of your own way and build more confidence.

On the flip side, don’t let modesty hold you back, either. I know I never want to appear like I am a self-promoter or someone who is totally self-absorbed. So I am always cautious with modesty. However, if we can’t articulate our accomplishments to share our values with the world, how will anyone know to ask us for help?

As you sincerely and genuinely share your knowledge and expertise with others, your confidence is no longer perceived as self-promotion. On the contrary, acting confidently to help inform another person is about the purpose of sharing something of value.

Your confidence will be reinforced when you play to your strengths and are sincere in sharing with others to help them. Then, you can still be confident and honestly share what you are not good at or don’t know. This is called vulnerability. Being honest and vulnerable is a sign of leadership.

And here’s the real gift. When you share with someone what you don’t know or aren’t sure about, the other person will likely be willing to help you. This will create an opportunity for you to learn something new. And the best news is that learning a new skill will enhance your confidence!

Here are the top tips on how to improve your confidence daily!       

Nail a positive first impression. Dress well.

Use a Power Pose. Guaranteed to boost confidence. Check out Dr. Amy Cuddy’s TedTalk to learn more about power posing.

Think positive. Replace any negative thoughts that come into your mind with positive thoughts.

Have gratitude. Write down three things every morning/night that you are grateful for.

Be prepared. Get ready for your meeting the night before – know what you need to do the next day, so you’re ready to go.

Know thyself. There is a reason Plato and Socrates wrote about this, and it withstood the test of time. Journal about your feelings and know your strengths and weaknesses.

Be kind and generous. Give more than you receive. This works. Believe me.    

Boosting your confidence is a skill set that is essential to achieving your goals! However, all of us need assistance from others more than once in our life to support us so we can be our best. If you are unsure where to start, I’d love to connect with you to help you achieve your personal and professional goals. Reach out to find out how we can work together via my contact page today!

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